The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a cold injury to the feet must be denied as there is no evidence of treatment or diagnosis related to such injuries during active duty. The current peripheral neuropathy diagnosed in his feet may be associated with in-service frostbite, but this cannot be conclusively established without additional medical evidence.
The deciding factor: The service treatment records do not reflect any complaints or treatment for cold injury residuals involving the Veteran's feet. There is conflicting medical evidence regarding the etiology of the peripheral neuropathy diagnosed in his feet, and no clear link to service has been established.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of a cold injury to the bilateral feet, peripheral neuropathy
- How they argued it
- Reopened with new and material evidence
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 23, 2017
- Citation
- 1708939
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1708939.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
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- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral neuropathy due to a duty to assist error in failing to obtain relevant exposure information. The AOJ is instructed to conduct additional development as outlined in the decision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran was granted an effective date of May 15, 2023 for his total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate TERA opinions regarding the Veteran's diabetes. The claim will be returned for further review and an addendum opinion from a clinician.
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